What is required when trimming toenails to prevent ingrowth?

Trimming toenails straight across is essential to reducing the risk of ingrown toenails. This method allows the nail to grow in a natural direction. When nails are rounded at the corners during trimming, they can potentially grow into the surrounding skin as they continue to grow. This can lead to discomfort, pain, and the risk of infection. By cutting straight across, the corners of the nails can remain elevated above the skin, encouraging proper growth and minimizing the likelihood of them curling inward.

Filing the edges, while a good practice for smoothing out sharp corners, does not effectively address the primary concern of the nail's growth direction. Similarly, trimming too short can make the toenails more vulnerable to pressure from footwear, potentially leading to painful conditions. Soaking toenails beforehand can help soften the nails and skin but does not directly affect how they should be trimmed to prevent ingrowth. Thus, the practice of trimming toenails straight across provides a straightforward preventive measure against ingrown toenails.